IBM To Train 2 Mn People In AI By 2026
IBM on Monday said it plans to train two million learners in AI by the end of 2026. The technology giant will prioritise underrepresented communities under this commitment.
The company’s strategy encompasses several key elements, aiming to fortify AI education on a global scale. Firstly, IBM is expanding its collaborations with universities worldwide. As part of this initiative, educators will gain access to IBM-led training, which includes lectures and immersive skilling experiences. Moreover, IBM will provide faculty members with courseware for classroom use, enabling them to equip students with essential AI knowledge. This extends to students, who will have the opportunity to access free online courses on generative AI and Red Hat open source technologies.
IBM SkillsBuild, the company's dedicated education platform, is set to play a pivotal role in this endeavour as well. The platform will introduce a range of new, free courses focused on generative AI, catering to learners worldwide. The coursework will cover diverse aspects of generative AI, including Prompt-Writing, Machine Learning, Customer Service with AI and Generative AI in Action.
To enhance the learning experience, IBM SkillsBuild will incorporate AI-powered features. These features will include improvements to chatbots, designed to provide valuable support to learners throughout their educational journeys. Furthermore, the platform will offer personalised learning paths based on individual preferences and experiences, ensuring that learners can tailor their AI education to suit their unique needs.
A highlight of this initiative is the issuance of IBM-branded digital credentials upon course completion. These credentials will be recognised by potential employers, providing learners with a tangible symbol of their AI proficiency.
IBM's commitment to training two million learners in AI builds upon its existing pledge to upskill 30 million individuals by 2030. Since its initiation in 2021, over seven million learners have enrolled in IBM courses.
The announcement comes at a critical juncture, as a recent global study conducted by the IBM Institute of Business Value revealed that a substantial portion of executives anticipate the need for workforce reskilling. Specifically, 40 per cent of surveyed executives foresee the requirement to reskill employees over the next three years, particularly those in entry-level positions. This underscores the growing demand for AI skills, driven by the proliferation of generative AI technologies.
